Sinner, released in 2001, remains inseparable from Bodies and its chorus, which turned into a rallying cry in pits around the world. Yet reducing Drowning Pool’s debut to that single track would be unfair, given the raw power and remarkable cohesion the Texan band displays here, driven by the cavernous voice of Dave Williams, who died tragically the following year.
Tell Me Why and Sinner confirm a direct alternative metal, free of frills, built for the stage and fueled by genuine rage. The compact production and granite riffs give the record an almost physical force. Admittedly, the writing can feel tailored to the rock radio of the era, but the intensity and the tragic backdrop lend Sinner a singular aura that has not faded.
